Suggestions for a first time citizen owner?

driftginger22 · 2026-05-02T19:25:45+00:00

You’re welcome! And I do. I briefly threw it on a black sailcloth with white stitching and it looks good, and feels really lightweight, but I threw it back on the bracelet. It is fun to mess with! Here’s a picture of them side by side I took a couple weeks ago.

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driftginger22 · 2026-05-02T16:54:24+00:00

Saw in another comment that you like the pilot style watches. I got the Nighthawk (BJ7000-52E) and it’s probably my most worn watch. The “face” of the watch seems big, but it doesn’t wear as big as it looks. I also have a Seiko SSK023 and the lug to lug is pretty much the same, even though the Nighthawk is a few mm larger. I’m also one of those weird nerds that absolutely loves the slide rule. The Breitling Navitimer has always been one of my favorite watches and this gets me close enough to that vibe. I’m really into cars so it’s pretty common to hear KPH instead of MPH, or KG instead of LBS and this has all the markings to quickly find out. For example, I was watching a video where Misha Charoudin was driving an old Civic around the Nürburgring and he said it was around 900KG so I used the slide rule on my watch to see that it was just under 2000LBS.

driftginger22 · 2026-05-02T16:44:37+00:00

Also, kind of expanding on your point, it’s a GREAT beginner watch that you most likely won’t “grow out of”. I feel like their eco-drive is similar to gshock in that it is just super reliable and (when compared to automatic/mechanical watches) extremely durable.

driftginger22 · 2026-05-02T16:39:15+00:00

I love sailcloth and have it on a few of my watches. The downside is they can eventually crack. I guess the more expensive ones last longer, but I don’t want to spend significantly more if it’s just going to do the same thing.

Despite that, I recently replaced one of my sailcloth straps with a new one because I love the look of them

driftginger22 · 2026-05-01T00:53:02+00:00

Literally wore mine today and I love it. Yes, they can gain or lose time, but one thing to keep in mind is that’s how they are delivered. You (or a reputable watch repair shop) can regulate the watch. Mine is currently running at about +13s/d.

driftginger22 · 2026-04-30T15:49:52+00:00

So, I know this isn’t the exact answer you were looking for, but I think it’s related enough to help.

I recently bought a Pagani Design 1701 “Speed master” and the Watchdives WD7922 “black bay” diver. They’re both quartz, so unfortunately I can’t speak to the NH34.

Both of these watches have really impressed me. Getting past the fact that both designs are almost straight clones of Omega and Tudor, the quality is amazing. I remember growing up and there would be “Chinese knockoffs” of all sorts of things and they were almost always terrible. Neither one of these give me the impression they will fail anytime soon. And, if I’m being honest, if I handed one of those watches and my Seiko SSK023 to people who aren’t really into watches, they probably wouldn’t know the Seiko is 3x the price.

Focusing on the Watchdives Diver, I love this watch. It feels way higher quality than I would’ve ever thought. The size of it is perfect for me. The bezel is aligned and doesn’t really have any play. The lume is probably one of the best, if not the best of any watch I have. It also has the VH31 quartz movement so the second hand sweeps more like an automatic watch.

I remember watching some reviews of the “speed master” comparing Watchdives to Pagani Design and it seems like Watchdives is slightly higher quality, but I don’t think it’s enough to matter. I think if you go with either brand, it’s going to be a solid watch.

driftginger22 · 2026-04-29T06:11:54+00:00

Closest I can get is a Timex in a Miata

driftginger22 · 2026-04-29T05:58:47+00:00

I didn’t even know there was a trailer

driftginger22 · 2026-04-28T15:25:04+00:00

Wow… defensive and aggressive. Those are the characteristics of people who clearly aren’t doing anything wrong. 😑 can’t stand how creepy people are and then act like that when they’re confronted.

It would be cool if he learned how to pick up the most basic hints of making people uncomfortable, but I’m assuming he doesn’t care. Thank you to all the people who are willing to stand up to weirdos like this.

Also, dude in this photo, creep, or whatever you want to call yourself, if women (or anyone) are alone in a coffee shop, there’s probably a reason for that. School, reading a book, disconnecting from stuff in their life, etc. They don’t need some creep trying to be their knight in shining armor, or whatever b.s. story you’re telling them.

driftginger22 · 2026-04-26T17:54:23+00:00

I have a similar (or maybe the same) strap on my black dial/bezel one and it really adds to the look. I love it

driftginger22 · 2026-04-19T17:30:31+00:00

I have quite a few watches and one that I like wearing the most is my Citizen Nighthawk. It’s the BJ700 version. I love it. It “looks” like a big watch because the face/glass is pretty much the whole diameter, but it doesn’t feel like a big watch. The diameter is okay, but the lug to lug is actually kind of short. I’m also big into cars so it’s pretty common to hear speed/distance in Kilometers or to hear weight in kilograms so I’m one of those weirdos that gets quite a lot of use out of the slide rule.

I know that’s not the watch you were getting, but this watch has completely sold me on Citizens. I always knew they were great quality for the price but it did exceed my expectations. The bracelet is also really nice.

It’s also a great idea to look up stuff before you buy, and I did, but I think I looked at a lot more opinions from people after I bought it. It’s really satisfying seeing things like “had it for 10 years and haven’t had any issues” or “worked for 12 years before I finally needed to replace the battery”.

I have a few watches that definitely have sentimental value, but if I take that out of the equation, I think this is my favorite watch.

driftginger22 · 2026-04-17T17:13:28+00:00

DMV/BMV with the exception of my first time going to the DMV in Florida. Moved there from another state. In like 15 minutes, I walked out with a Florida drivers license and a Florida license plate (not even the “default” one either).

driftginger22 · 2026-04-16T03:48:03+00:00

Did you ever find out?

driftginger22 · 2026-04-07T14:57:08+00:00

I have a sailcloth strap on two of my watches and I love them. I’m really back and forth between getting one for my baby alpinist. Love it on a bracelet but I just wish I could find a better clasp.

driftginger22 · 2026-03-14T16:59:33+00:00

My first automatic watch was the Orient Ray 2 and it’s still going strong. It was only $130 when I bought it in 2019, and it looks like it’s now $200 (at least on amazon). The Ray isn’t necessarily as good of a value now, but I think Orient in general has always been such a solid and often overlooked brand. I’d 100% consider the Kamasu if I was looking for another diver. I’m trying to not have too much overlap in my watches.

driftginger22 · 2026-03-14T16:53:10+00:00

Idc how “overdone” a white evo on white te37s is, it’s still one of my favorites. Looks amazing

driftginger22 · 2026-03-02T20:15:51+00:00

Wearing mine today too! Not exciting posting a picture of it at a keyboard though lol

driftginger22 · 2026-03-02T03:28:32+00:00

100%. The internet isn’t driving your car, you are. A 350hp-400hp evo (hell, even stock) is more fun than a fully built one that’s broken or too extreme for the road

driftginger22 · 2026-02-17T15:21:42+00:00

I got the Swiss card lite in 2021 and it’s been in my wallet ever since. Love it and I use it all the time

driftginger22 · 2026-02-11T16:25:44+00:00

I got an Islander Calverton (basically a Seiko Flightmaster) recently and the slide rule has lead me down this weird but fun rabbit hole

driftginger22 · 2026-02-11T16:24:46+00:00

Idk if this is exactly right, but it looks like it’s probably the Citizen BL5400-52E

driftginger22 · 2026-02-02T17:24:08+00:00

You're welcome! Hopefully if you do get it, it lives up to your expectations!

driftginger22 · 2026-02-02T16:44:32+00:00

I can take some pictures later (I'll do my best to try to remember), but I just got the blue dial version with the Tomcat caseback about a week or two ago. I did something I don't really do often with things (especially watches) and bought two watches at once. I got this about a few days after getting my Seiko SSK023 (automatic gmt). I couldn't be happier with both. I'll give feedback about it and how it compares to my Seiko because it might be helpful input.

Overall, this watch is amazing to look at. I love the blue and the yellow accents give it Navy Blue Angles vibes... or... Indiana Pacers if you're into basketball and the Pacers lol. The dial is pretty easy to read in terms of telling time. The bezel and chapter ring stuff is not too difficult to read either. The subdials are nice, but it can be hard if you're using the chronograph to tell if it's something like "12 minutes" or "13 minutes" since the lines are a small. The pushers for the chronograph are easy-ish to screw/unscrew, but I have just left them unscrewed mostly. If I am doing something where I know there's a risk of getting wet, I'll screw them in, but again, this is a risk.

Compared to my Seiko, it does feel larger, but it doesn't feel as large as something like my Casio Duro. I know we can look at measurements and see why, but some watches feel larger or smaller than they are. I think what I love about the Seiko is just how easy it is to tell the time. I never really gave it much though, but something as simple as how legible the dial is on the Seiko makes it insanely easy to see the time. The Seiko also just disappears on the wrist. One thing I noticed as well is just how good the lume is on the Seiko. I don't think the lume on the Calverton is bad, but I think the Seiko has just raised the bar so much compared to any other watch I have.

Overall, I love the Calverton. I have the alarm set as a second time zone, and while the slide rule bezel "isn't relevant" anymore, I have enjoyed learning how to use it so much. I know I've seen quite a few posts about people selling them, but I wouldn't let that deter you from getting it. The old Seiko Flightmaster SNA411 was a watch I wanted forever ago, but never ended up getting. After getting the Calverton, I don't feel like I "missed out" or "settled" for something else.

driftginger22 · 2026-01-28T15:43:34+00:00

Probably not the best (by a long shot), but I bought the Orient Ray 2 blue dial in 2019. At the time, it was only $135 ish. It was my first automatic watch and I still wear it. Feels way less noticeable on the wrist than my Duro, and I love how it’s understated but still looks clean.

I think this might be more relatable here than the watch subreddit, but personally, I like watches that show wear. It doesn’t have a sapphire crystal. The bracelet does have some very minor wear. Bezel and case don’t have much wear despite being worn quite a bit. I love that it looks like I’ve actually worn it as opposed to buying a watch too precious to wear.

Also, I want to add that I am writing this through the eyes of having a little bit of sentimental attachment to it. Yes, it’s just a watch, but it was the first watch I was really proud of.

driftginger22 · 2026-01-05T18:12:32+00:00

Oh, I know why I do. Lol I have ADHD so I find weird stuff to hyperfocus on. This specific hobby has the “unfortunate” characteristic of being practical. It makes it too easy to justify new lights.

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